Overseas departures hit record low

Media Release
Released
12/11/2021

There were 30,300 departures from Australia in September 2021, the lowest on record, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS Director of Migration Statistics, Jenny Dobak said: “The record low departures can be attributed to continued international travel restrictions, the various lockdowns in Australia and low numbers of new arrivals. Many have not arrived during the pandemic to be able to depart."

"Historically, apart from Australians, New Zealand citizens have provided the largest flow of international travellers into and out of the country. Although some increase was observed in April 2021 at the start of the travel bubble, the flow of New Zealand travellers dropped again in late July with the ceasing of the bubble.”

There were only 700 departures and just under 500 arrivals for New Zealand citizens in September 2021, both were record lows.

Further details can be found in Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia - September 2021 (cat. no. 3401.0) available on the ABS website.

Media notes

  • Information on ABS products being produced to measure the impact of COVID-19 on Australia can be found on the ABS website.
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